“How did things end up like this?”
For Ortes, sneaking into the Information Guild’s restricted area without a sound had become an almost routine affair, devoid of any sense of strangeness.
Though it was still unsettling to see him bypass countless surveillance devices and casually offer tea, he’d grown somewhat accustomed to it over time.
However, even for Arabel, it was unprecedented to see someone from decades past—a former Tower Master—following Ortes inside.
“Hello, Manager Arabel. This is Caike from Pythos Tower,” Ortes introduced.
Two questions dominated Arabel’s mind:
‘Was Caike really in Etna Mountain all these years?’ was the first.
‘They actually brought him back alive?’ was the second.
The latter weighed heavier on her thoughts.
In Ortes’ plans, Caike was meant to provoke competition between Hydra Corp and Geryon.
But as they say, battle plans vanish the moment war begins. Written strategies are often the first casualties.
Arabel anticipated that Caike would likely perish in the process. Wizards tended toward madness after all, especially one who had secluded himself beneath a volcano for decades.
Moreover, wizards detested having their magic taken from them more than anything else.
Would someone who dedicated decades to creating the Artificial Tenth Rank willingly surrender their masterpiece?
It seemed far more likely he’d choose to self-destruct alongside his creation rather than bow down to Hydra Corp.
Yet here Caike sat, sipping tea served by Ortes.
“What exactly is going on?”
This was Arabel’s first words, struggling to mask her confusion.
Ortes shrugged nonchalantly. “We need to bring this gentleman to Hydra Corp, but doing so directly might cause quite a commotion. I trust you, Manager Arabel, can discreetly and courteously escort him to the company.”
That ‘trust’ carried an unsettling undertone. Arabel now realized Ortes’ true nature wasn’t intimidation but a brazen tendency to delegate tasks whenever convenient.
“Then, Manager Arabel, I’ll see you tonight.”
Before she could protest, Ortes had already risen and departed.
Covering her eyes with her left hand, Arabel reviewed Ortes’ instructions – bring Caike discreetly. Clearly to conceal the alliance between Caike and Hydra Corp.
In Ortes’ plan, the three magic towers were staging a mock war. A perpetual charade preventing real conflict.
Caike breaking his silence to rescue the imprisoned Geryon. Following Geryon’s defeat, Hydra Corp would naturally turn its attention to Pythos Tower.
The two towers would then form a temporary alliance against the rising power of Hydra Corp, prompting the corporation to restructure in response.
This arms race would seem perfectly reasonable to Proper Tower, given the escalating tensions.
However, all Etna City’s towers were ultimately under Hydra Corp’s control. The fabricated rivalry strengthened the corporation’s capabilities.
Through this restructuring, progress toward completing the Artificial Tenth Rank would accelerate. This constituted Ortes’ initial plan.
‘And yet, I thought the Artificial Tenth Rank itself didn’t exist…’
Arabel contemplated what the completion of the eleventh Ten Sage might mean – a new king.
Shaking her head to dispel such fanciful notions, she turned her attention to Caike. This was her chance to assess the viability of Hydra Corp’s plans through conversation.
Selecting her words carefully, Arabel began questioning Caike.
Finally. Truly finally, my responsibilities have ended.
Specific implementation plans using Geryon or Caike for corporate reform?
I’ve sketched out the broad strokes; the specialists will handle the details. While some board members may be impulsive or lackadaisical, none are truly incompetent.
At minimum, they possess the skills necessary to survive while leading in the criminal underworld. With their advisors gathered, brainstorming sessions should yield positive results.
Free from all duties, I relished this rare liberation. Should I just sleep in bed?
I was tidying my bed for a long rest until mid-afternoon when…
“Ortes.”
d*mn.
The communication device embedded in my gauntlet signaled an incoming call. The sender was obviously…
“Yes, Chairman Carisia.”
Bertrand couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Caike had vanished from Etna City decades ago.
The giant approaching four meters tall with his distinctive three-pupiled right eye appeared exactly as Bertrand remembered.
Even Geryon, dragged in with bound arms, managed a bitter laugh. “Thought you’d been done in ages ago…”
While Ortes remained characteristically absent, it was unusual for Carisia who usually arrived earliest and departed latest from meetings.
The door creaked open, revealing Ortes ushering Carisia inside.
The eight board members recognized this scene from somewhere.
“Yes. The day Carisia announced Hydra Corp’s foundation…”
Arabel stiffened recalling how Carisia had gathered and bound the founders to her will.
“Nice to see you all.”
The same opening line. Arabel realized this setup was deliberate repetition.
“With this, we have assembled the full executive team recruited for our company’s primary objective.”
Their chairman smiled broadly, radiating pure delight.
“Today we gather to hear Mr. Caike’s presentation on the Artificial Tenth Rank. Shall we begin? Please rise.”
Caike stood as if entranced, seeing something extraordinary in Carisia through his right eye.
“You… You all…”
Ortes raised a finger to his lips from behind Carisia. Surveying the room filled with figures from both his past and those he’d only known through data collected during his seclusion beneath Etna Mountain, Caike felt a mixture of terror and reverence.
Etna City’s power brokers, those who moved the city itself, had gathered under the banner of Hydra Corp.
Caike slowly revealed the truth about his “Artificial Tenth Rank” creation.
Doubts formed during his studies at Crimson Flame and Silver Iron Towers led him to question the meaning of ascension. Collecting ancient deities’ traces to create new milestones seemed possible…
Listening intently among the board members, Bertrand’s expression grew increasingly grave. The decline of fossil mining stemmed from Caike’s ambitions.
And with Caike captured by Carisia who centered her plans around the Artificial Tenth Rank, the Mining Guild’s future looked bleak indeed.
“There’s no longer any need to accumulate mana from Etna Volcano.”
Ortes’ declaration cut through these concerns.
“The Artificial Tenth Rank created by Mr. Caike doesn’t improve with increased mana output. We must focus on more fundamental aspects.”
“Fundamental?”
A woman with flowing green hair spoke up – Mecoonion, one-eighth Alraune hybrid, half-human, half-spirit, and Etna City’s largest drug dealer.
“Didn’t Mr. Caike mention collecting divine traces to create the Artificial Tenth Rank? There are no divine traces remaining in this city.”
Mecoonion felt Ortes’ gaze upon her, distinct from her customers’ lustful stares. It was purely professional, almost mechanical.
“Divine relics remain with those who believe in lost gods. We should start our search there.”
Mecoonion instantly understood Ortes’ intention.
‘So that’s why he sought me out…’
“Do any buyers of your products worship old gods?”
“Yes. Pathetic souls seeking divine traces in their euphoric states.”
“We’ll begin with them.”
Having spoken, Ortes stepped back behind Carisia.
“You now understand our company’s plans hold sufficient practicality.”
Carisia, having dropped her smile sometime during the meeting, calmly declared:
“If anyone objects, please speak now. We’re ready to listen.”
No hands rose. The silence served as their answer.
Carisia nodded. “Then before major organizational changes, we shall establish a new department. The Divinity Research Division, reporting directly to the chairman. Its director will be…”
Ortes.
*
My goodness.
After functioning without any official position while juggling extracurricular duties as usual, now they intend to formalize my workload?
Isn’t it supposed to be Caike feeling pressured, not me?
